Reply by Cosmicsniper

When you brush it on top, the solvent in the stain will take up some of the previous gel stain coat…assuming they are both oil-based with mineral spirits for a solvent.

A few approaches…

1.) Use a water-based stain or water/alcohol dye on top.2.) Get a can of spray shellac (which will be dewaxed) and seal the gel satin first. Then, use anything you want.3.) Spray a stain on top…it’s the brushing or rubbing that can mess up the undercoat.4.) Brush the oil stain on top, but with a light hand, not stopping to fix the work. (Bad choice, but it can be done).

If it were me, I would seal with shellac and then figure a way to spray the stain…perhaps with an aerosol with the color you favor. After that, spray with one more coat of shellac and then brush on your choice of film finish.

When sealing with shellac, it doesn’t take much…just a uniform thin coat that will dry in like 15 minutes.